Amber Heard in good Company

Do looks work for or against an actress in Hollywood? Depends on how seriously you take your career and what kind of roles you want, according to Amber Heard.

Amber Heard is tired of missing out on meaty roles because she's too pretty.

The Machete Kills actress says it is incredibly difficult for a woman to find good movie roles that are just as strong as their male counterparts.

"You name me movies where the woman's part isn't narrower than the man's and they will be the exceptions — not the norm," Heard complained in an interview with Company magazine. "I think in Europe things are better, but in the U.S., we still have characters who are defined by physical attractiveness."

"I try to search for roles where the character is not dependent on how she looks, but it is hard because I didn't know anyone in this industry so I started as an extra and fought. I've had to take on roles that were superficial, girlfriend roles, but I've tried to put some power or strength into them. And I don't think talent and beauty are mutually exclusive."

"It's a shame that someone like Charlize Theron has to put on a bunch of weight and fake teeth to be seen as a talented actress," she said, referring to the South African's Oscar-winning role in Monster.

So who is Heard's Hollywood role model? Angelina Jolie, at least in one sense.

"I wish I could hold my tongue more, but I'm just not very good at it. Angelina Jolie is an incredible example — just an incredible force in terms of challenging the status quo. I think she talked about being bisexual honestly, which I love her for," said the self-admitted bisexual. "Honesty is best — staying quiet can be so detrimental."

"It is really hard when you spend your life living out of a suitcase," she explained. "But it really does weed out superficial people — if someone is still with you after the second movie then they're probably a good one! I like to trust people in general — it's the Southern girl in me."